This module will expose students to advanced topics in state-society relationship and governance within the context of rapid changes in information and communication technologies (ICTs). It addresses how the notions of 'community', 'citizenship', and 'democracy' have been changed by the creation of a transnational public sphere due to ICTs. The module will also address how the emergence of an informational economy changes the role of the state, especially in terms of preparing society for the challenges ahead. Works of John Urry, Manuel Castells, Bob Jessop, Frank Webster and David Lyon, among others, will be discussed and critiqued.

NM5204 Computer-Mediated Environments

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

0-3-0-2-5

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

This course is designed to help students explore current issues related to Computer-Mediated Environments (CMEs) such as online communities, virtual organizations, e-learning communities, virtual reality, etc. Students will critically analyze theories and conceptualize the impacts of ICTs on the way people communicate, work, socialize, play, and learn in CMEs. Students will review theories, models, and empirical studies on various topics such as social identity, Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC), online community, Computer-Mediated social networks and social capital, human computer interactions, and online collaboration in business and education.

NM5205 Cognition and Media

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

3-0-0-3-4

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

This course will introduce important theories on how people process information from the media and how media affects individuals. Based on empirical social science research, this course will examine the effects of mass media on user's cognition, attitude, and behaviour. While the focus of the course will be on how media, both traditional and new media, affects individual users, the effects of mass media on groups and society will also be discussed.

NM5206 Emerging Media Interaction Design

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

3-0-0-3-4

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

Concentrates on issues related to, and methods for, the design and analysis of emerging interactive digital media with focus on a human-computer interaction (HCI) perspective. It provides students with knowledge and skills to compare, critique and apply traditional and emerging methodologies with focus on user-centered design, experience-centered design and activity-centered design The module explores technological developments and trends in interactive digital media supporting a variety of activitiesâ€”from entertainment, education, artistic creation, communication, mobile to work-relatedâ€”and provides an appreciation of the impact of interactive digital media over individual, societal and cultural activities, and how our social and cultural environment and activities can inform design.

NM5207 ICTs and Development

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

3-0-0-2-5

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

This module examines the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in shaping economic transformation and enhancing development communication in the context of developing countries from a comparative angle. It addresses important concerns such as poverty, gender, social exclusion, digital divide, governance, development policy etc. in a multidisciplinary perspective of political economy, development communication and economic sociology. The module will also expose students to major eva luation techniques and methods in assessing the costs, benefits and impacts of ICT-based development projects.

NM5209 New Media Arts

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

3-0-0-3-4

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

This course will cover major artistic threads, such as networked art, that involve large numbers of geographically distributed participants, large-scale public works as well as virtual and augmented reality works that blur the distinction between real-world and synthetic information. The course will focus on interactive works where media consumers participate in creating their own artistic experience. It will also cover the historical development of ideas, put them into a social context and examine contemporary critical reflections about art. A hands-on component will allow students to experiment with creating interactive works. The course will culminate in the study of several works by some of the most important emerging new media artists.

This module will introduce different structural models of mind, media, computation, and design. The main focus of this module is to use such models as the basis for research into the identification, creation, articulation, and application of design knowledge for interactive media. This will involve research projects that require students to work on interactive digital media research problems, identify related work, and propose solutions that highlight original design knowledge developed for solving the problems. The module is designed for arts and humanities students and does not assume any previous experience in computer or cognitive science.

NM5211 Serious Games & Learning Media

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

2-0-1-3-4

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

New and emerging media, interactive digital media, games and serious games for learning are being used to inform, educate, train, persuade, influence and change. Their immediacy, accessibility and portability could complement existing teaching tools, methods and resources, and do so economically, reaching students in all communities, including the underrepresented and underprivileged. This module will provide an appreciation of the increasing emergence of interactive learning media, games and serious games for purpose, the current trends in their development and use, and the social, cultural and ethical considerations in their wide adoption.

NM5212 Theories Of Public Relations

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

3-0-0-2-5

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

This module provides a survey of public affairs/issues management and communication management theories with an emphasis on strategic issues, cross-cultural perspectives, and critical analyses. The course examines how communication management theories are related to other areas of the communication discipline with emphasis on organizational, mass, and international communication as well as rhetoric, persuasion and social movements.

NM5214 Design for Open Science

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

3-0-0-4-3

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

The module explores the design of interactive media technologies that encourage and support participation in science. Students will learn relevant theory as well as design issues and techniques. In particular, the module will explore and critique existing participatory media and tools, examine issues that arise for particular kinds of stakeholders and activities, and highlight techniques used to encourage and sustain participation. The module will also engage students in actual design prototyping and evaluation.

NM5215 Design Knowledge for Interactive Media

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

3-0-0-6-1

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

This module explores how a designer of interactive media acquires, integrates, articulates,and shares design knowledge and skills forinteractive media design. Students will learn about different design methods, techniques, and formalisms. The module will involve an interactive media project for which students will identify and articulate design knowledge â€“ and then evaluate the result of using that design knowledge. In addition, the concepts of design knowledge, design methods, and design thinking will be critically examined.

NM5216 Culture, Communication & Health

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

0-3-0-3-4

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

Culture, Communication & Health explores the intersection of culture, communication and health, and seeks to understand health communication from cross cultural perspectives. It is organized around answering the fundamental questions: â€śHow does culture impact communication about health and illness? How do communicative practices vary across cultures?â€ť

NM5217 Designing for Prosocial Behavior

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

3-0-0-4-3

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

Prosocial behavior describes actions intended to benefit another individual or group of individuals. From collaborative editing tools like wikis to video sharing environments like YouTube, there are many computing applications and online spaces that rely on prosocial user behavior. The focus of this course is developing designs for computational applications/interventions to motivate prosocial behavior. Through readings, discussion, and design work, students will learn theories about prosociality from the social sciences and apply them in the design of systems that encourage prosocial behavior. The course will consist of readings, discussion, and groupwork focused on the development of mockups and functional prototypes.

NM5660 Independent Study

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

Minimum 10 hours per week. The precise breakdown of contact hours, assignment and preparation is to be worked out between the lecture and the student, subject to Department approval.

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

Independent research plays an important role in graduate education. The Independent Study Module is designed to enable the student to explore an approved topic in Communications and New Media in depth. The student should approach a lecturer to work out an agreed topic, readings, and assignments for the module. A formal, written agreement is to be drawn up, giving a clear account of the topic, programme of study, assignments, evaluation, and other pertinent details. Head's and/or Graduate Coordinator's approval of the written agreement is required. Regular meetings and reports are expected. Evaluation is based on 100% Continuous Assessment and must be worked out between the student and the lecturer prior to seeking departmental approval.

NM5771 Networked Society - New Module

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

0-6-0-6-8

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

This module analyses the interplay between new communication technologies and society. Students will learn and engage in discussions about how technological developments affect current social systems, and conversely, how social systems affect the nature and use of technology. The module focuses on the studying of triple revolution: the impact of the Internet, the impact of mobile phones, and the turn towards social networks. It explores how society and technology have mutually changed (and shaped) each other, with respect to family, community and work.

NM5881 Topics in Media Studies

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

0-3-0-4-3

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

Topics in Media Studies introduce special, advanced or rotating topics currently not included in the graduate-level Communications and New Media curriculum. Topics in this module offer instruction in the various specializations of the media studies field, more advanced instruction on the basic theories and knowledge covered in the current modules, and/or research, discussion and analysis of issues of current interest in the field of media studies.

NM5882 Topics in Interactive Media Design

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

0-3-0-4-3

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

Topics in Interactive Media Design introduces special, advanced or rotating topics currently not included in the graduate-level Communications and New Media curriculum. Topics in this module offer instruction in the various specializations of the interactive media design field, more advanced instruction on the basic skills and knowledge covered in the current modules, and/or research, discussion and analysis of issues of current interest in the field of interactive media design.

NM5883 Topics in Communication Management

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

0-3-0-4-3

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

Topics in Communication Management introduces special, advanced or rotating topics currently not included in the graduate-level Communications and New Media curriculum, or builds on the basic modules in the communication management sequence. Topics in this module offer instruction in the various specializations of the communication management field, more advanced instruction on the skills and knowledge covered in the current modules, and/or research, discussion and analysis of issues of current interest in the field of communication management.

NM6101 Advanced Theories in Communications and New Media

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

0-3-0-3-4

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

In this module, students will review classical and contemporary readings in communications and new media studies, including key concepts and areas of investigation. It will provide students with a comprehensive and critical overview of theoretical frameworks of communications and new media. Students will also examine the role of theory in the research process.

*Note:
NM6101 is offered only in Semester 1 of every academic year.

NM6103 Quantitative Research Methods in Communications and New Media

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

0-3-0-3-4

Prerequisites:

For CNM and FASS graduate students

Preclusion(s)

Nil

Cross-listing(s):

Nil

This course will prepare graduate students for their thesis writing by delving into selected quantitative research methods in depth in the area of communications and new media. Students will have hands-on experience in developing their own research agenda, designing methodologies and conducting independent research work. It will give an introduction to a variety of quantitative and research methods including survey research, experimental design, content analysis, and social network analysis. Students will also learn how to analyse empirical data using appropriate statistics and analytical tools.

NM6104 Qualitative Research Methods in Communications and New Media

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

0-3-0-3-4

Prerequisites:

For CNM and FASS graduate students

Preclusion(s)

Nil

Cross-listing(s):

Nil

This module is designed to help graduate students understand what qualitative communication research is, questions of design in qualitative communication research, and the steps in carrying out qualitative research projects. It covers fundamental concepts in qualitative research design, sampling strategies, data generation, data analysis, evaluation, writing and performance. This module also introduces basic concepts of qualitative methods such as interpretation, meaning making, reflexivity, poetics, and co-construction. A set of field based experiences will be designed to give students opportunities to become familiar with specific forms of qualitative data gathering such as in-depth interviews, focus groups, and ethnography.

NM6201 Communication and Culture

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

0-3-0-3-4

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

The media play tremendously important roles in our lives: by our ubiquitous, daily interactions with them; by the ways they shape the political and cultural landscape within the public sphere; or by engendering possibilities for communication. In this module we will consider questions such as: How should we understand the relationships among media and the social and cultural contexts in which they operate? How should we think through the relationship of technology and communication? What is new about new media technologies? How do certain cultures create and naturalize particular modes of media form and content? How do media technologies interact with/create forms of community and identity?

NM6202: Technological Embodiments

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

0-3-0-3-4

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

The module targets advanced students in the arts and social sciences interested in the study of the social, cultural, political and aesthetic impact of new technologies on conceptions of human embodiment. Students will critically engage the field of human-machine interaction, particularly related to research on concepts, visions and technologies of interfacing 'human' and 'machine': internet, cyborg, wearable and ubiquitous computing, and immersive virtual reality (gaming in particular). Apart from developing students' interdisciplinary skills, this module aims to link the discourse of new media and technology with that of the body, where idea of 'the body and its boundaries' itself is not assumed but carefully scrutinized.

NM6203 Culture-Centered Approach to Communication

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

0-3-0-4-3

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

Using examples of culturally-centered projects of social change globally, this module provides a starting point to engage in theorizing, methodological development, and designing of applications in the context of the culture-centered approach to communication for social change. Blending theory and practice, the module encourages thoughtful criticism of existing policy and program formulations and explores the communicative processes through which the margins may be centered in processes of communication. The problems of inequality and inaccess are examined through the lens of a cultural critique and subsequent interventions are studied both at macro and micro levels utilizing critical social science principles.

NM6211 Political Communication

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

3-0-0-3-4

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

This module is an advanced introduction to theory and research in political communication. It explores important theoretical developments and debates in the field of political communication, which include, but are not limited to deliberation, public opinion, political participation, and topics more directly related to new media technologies. The purpose of this module is to aid students in developing theoretical insights and prepare them to effectively and efficiently navigate through the broad research literature on political communication.

NM6660 Independent Study

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

3-0-0-4-3

Prerequisites:

Minimum 10 hours per week. The precise breakdown of contact hours, assignment and preparation is to be worked out between the lecture and the student, subject to Department approval

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

Independent research plays an important role in graduate education. The Independent Study Module is designed to enable the student to explore an approved topic in Communications and New Media in depth. The student should approach a lecturer to work out an agreed topic, readings, and assignments for the module. A formal, written agreement is to be drawn up, giving a clear account of the topic, programme of study, assignments, evaluation, and other pertinent details. Head's and/or Graduate Coordinator's approval of the written agreement is required. Regular meetings and reports are expected. Evaluation is based on 100% Continuous Assessment and must be worked out between the student and the lecturer prior to seeking departmental approval.

NM6770 Graduate Research Seminar*

Modular credits:

4

Workload:

0-3-0-0-7

Prerequisites:

Nil

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

This is a required module for all research Masters and Ph.D. students admitted from AY2004/2005. The module provides a forum for students and faculty to share their research and to engage one another critically in discussion of their current research projects. The module will include presentations by faculty on research ethics and dissertation writing. Each student is required to present a formal research paper. Active participation in all research presentations is expected. The module may be spread over two semesters and will be graded "Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory" on the basis of student presentation and participation.

Note: This module is intended for advanced graduate students from all faculties and thus does not require a background in computer science and engineering (although it will be possible for such students to develop and evaluate more technically advanced prototypes).

Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):

Nil

*Note:

This is an advanced module for graduate students who are doing thesis work that involves prototyping and evaluation adaptive/intelligent interactive digital media. Students will learn about research challenges and solutions specific to such media by developing working prototypes and conducting user studies with them.